JP4358203B2 - Multifunction device, control method of multifunction device, control device, control method of control device, multifunction device control system, control program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral control system in which a multifunction peripheral and a control device that controls the multifunction peripheral are connected via a communication network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, multifunction devices having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a print function, and a FAX transmission / reception function are known. In recent years, such a multifunction peripheral is connected to a PC (personal computer) or the like via a communication network to perform various kinds of processing.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a program storage unit that acquires and stores an execution program from outside via a network, and a processing unit that processes image data by causing the execution program stored in the program storage unit to be executed. There has been proposed an image processing apparatus including According to this image processing apparatus, it is not necessary to store all execution programs in the program storage means of the image processing apparatus in advance, and the program can be acquired from the host computer and executed as necessary. Yes.

On the other hand, in a system using Sharp OSA (Open Systems Architecture) proposed by the applicant of the present application, based on SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), an application running on a PC and a function of the multifunction device are linked to each other. Can operate as part of the total application system. Accordingly, it is possible to easily construct a flexible service by appropriately combining the functions of the multifunction peripheral and the PC (see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-156952 (released on June 8, 2001) Author unknown, “Digital color MFP…”, [online], date unknown, Sharp Corporation, [April 4, 2006 search], Internet <URL: http://www.sharp.co. jp / products / mx4501fn / text / function.html> Hisashi Kobayashi, “Sharp announces 12 digital full-color MFPs for enterprises…”, [online], November 24, 2005, ascii24.com, [April 4, 2006 search], Internet <URL: http://ascii24.com/news/i/hard/article/2005/11/24/659226-000.html>

  However, the above conventional technique has a problem that it is difficult to realize an integrated and flexible network system.

  For example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the execution of a program acquired by a multifunction peripheral via a communication network cannot be controlled from a host computer. Therefore, it is difficult to control the functions realized by various programs including the programs acquired via the communication network from the outside.

  On the other hand, in the Sharp OSA, although the function of the multifunction device can be linked with another PC, the function of the multifunction device is fixed, and a new function cannot be added after factory shipment. Alternatively, even if a new function can be added technically, it requires repair work at the factory, such as replacing the board or rewriting the program, and the user cannot do it himself. Therefore, a system constructed by this technology has a lack of flexibility.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner in a system that provides the functions of the multifunction peripheral, and The purpose is to realize a system capable of flexibly changing the functions to be provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention is a multifunction peripheral that includes a computer and is communicably connected to one or a plurality of control devices and controlled by the control device. A reception program storage unit for storing a program for a multi-function peripheral that is a program executed by the program, a program receiving unit that receives the multi-function peripheral program from the control device and stores the program in the reception program storage unit, and In response to an instruction to execute the multifunction device program transmitted from the control device, the apparatus includes program calling means for causing the computer to execute the multifunction device program stored in the received program storage unit. To do.

  In order to solve the above problems, a control method for a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention includes a computer, is connected to one or a plurality of control devices in a communicable manner, and is controlled by the control device. A control method in which a program receiving means receives the multi-function peripheral program from the control device and stores it in the received program storage unit, and the multi-function peripheral in which a program calling means is transmitted from the control device. And a step of causing the computer to execute a program for a multifunction machine stored in the received program storage unit in response to an instruction to execute the program for a computer.

  According to the above configuration, the program receiving unit obtains the multifunction device program executed by the computer of the multifunction device 1 from the control device and stores it in the received program storage unit. As a result, the multifunction peripheral acquires a program that it does not have from the control device, and the computer executes the acquired program, so that new processing that could not be performed at the time of factory shipment can be performed. .

  Further, according to the above configuration, the program calling unit causes the computer to execute the multifunction device program stored in the received program storage unit in response to the execution instruction transmitted from the control device. As a result, it is possible to instruct the control device to execute the processing of the multifunction peripheral based on the acquired program. Therefore, it is possible to realize a system that can control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral.

  Note that the control device that transmits the MFP program and the control device that transmits the execution instruction may be different control devices.

  In the MFP according to the present invention, the reception program storage unit also stores version information of the MFP program in association with the MFP program stored therein, and the program receiving unit includes: Before receiving the multifunction device program from the control device, it is preferable to transmit version information of the multifunction device program stored in the received program storage unit to the control device.

  According to the above configuration, the program receiving means notifies the control device of version information of the MFP program that the MFP has in the received program storage unit. Accordingly, the control device that has received the version information can determine whether or not to transmit the multifunction device program to the multifunction device based on the received version information. Therefore, when the multifunction device already has a newer version of the multifunction device program than the control device, the control device can omit sending the program to the multifunction device. Can be efficiently transmitted and received.

  The multifunctional device according to the present invention includes an execution time estimating unit that estimates an execution time of the program for the multifunction device, and the program calling unit that compares the execution time estimated by the execution time estimating unit with a threshold value. Determination means for determining whether or not the computer program is to be executed by the computer, and the program calling means is for the MFP when the determination result by the determination means is “NO”. It is preferable not to cause the computer to execute the program.

  According to the above configuration, the execution time estimation unit estimates the time required for executing the MFP program. Then, the program calling unit determines whether or not to cause the computer to execute the multifunction device program based on the time estimated by the execution time estimating unit. Therefore, when it takes a long time to execute the multifunction device program received from the control device, it is possible to prevent the multifunction device from being occupied for a long time by the processing instructed via the network.

  Further, the program calling unit may transmit a rejection notice indicating that the execution of the multifunction device program has been rejected to the control device when the determination result by the determining unit is “No”. preferable.

  According to the above configuration, when the multi-function peripheral program is not executed in the multi-function peripheral based on the determination result by the determination means, the program calling means transmits a rejection notice indicating that fact to the control device. Accordingly, the control device that has received the rejection notice can execute the same processing as the processing based on the MFP program whose execution has been rejected on behalf of the MFP or can execute other processing on the MFP. It is possible to instruct execution of the rejected program for the multifunction machine.

  Further, in the multi function device according to the present invention, the program calling means also receives the identification information of the control device that transmitted the execution instruction, and the multi function device has the identification information of the control device that permits acceptance of the execution instruction. The control device restriction information storage unit for storing the indicated control device restriction information and the control device indicated by the identification information received by the program calling means are connected to the control device whose identification information is indicated in the control device restriction information. Determination means for determining whether or not it is included in the program, wherein the program calling means does not cause the computer to execute the program for the multi-function peripheral when the determination result by the determination means is “No”. It is preferable.

  According to the above configuration, since the program calling means does not permit execution instructions from a control device whose identification information is not indicated in the control device restriction information, the multifunction device is prevented from receiving an execution instruction from an unauthorized control device. Can improve security.

  In addition, it is preferable that the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention further includes an execution count counting unit that counts the number of times the multifunction program is executed by the computer.

  According to the above configuration, since the number of executions of the multifunction device program is counted by the execution number counting means, for example, statistics can be obtained from the counted value or accounting information can be calculated.

  For example, in the latter case, the multi-function device may further include billing information processing means for calculating billing information as a price for use of the multi-function device program based on the number of executions counted by the execution number counting means. Good.

  According to the above configuration, the accounting information for the use of the MFP program is automatically calculated by the accounting information processing means, so that the user can be compensated for the use of the MFP program based on this accounting information. Can be easily charged.

  Alternatively, the program calling unit may be configured not to cause the computer to execute the multi-function peripheral program when the number of executions counted by the execution number counting unit reaches a threshold value.

  According to the above configuration, the calling unit can reject the execution of the multifunction device program when the number of executions reaches a threshold value. Accordingly, it is possible to easily construct a system that receives a price in advance from the user and permits the execution of the program for the multifunction machine the number of times corresponding to the price.

  In the MFP according to the present invention, the program calling unit also receives identification information of a user who has instructed the control device to transmit the execution instruction, and identifies a user who is permitted to accept the execution instruction. Whether the user restriction information storage unit for storing the user restriction information indicated by the information and the user indicated by the identification information received by the program calling means are included in the user indicated by the identification information in the user restriction information. Preferably, the program calling unit does not cause the computer to execute the multi-function peripheral program when the determination result by the determining unit is “No”.

  According to the above configuration, since the program calling unit does not permit the execution instruction by the user whose identification information is not indicated in the user restriction information, it is possible to prevent the MFP from accepting the execution instruction by the unauthorized user. , Improve security.

  Further, the multifunction device further includes an execution frequency counting unit that counts the number of times the multifunction device program is executed by the computer for each user based on the user identification information received by the program calling unit. It is preferable.

  According to the above configuration, according to the above configuration, since the number of executions of the MFP program is counted for each user by the execution number counting unit, for example, statistics for each user can be obtained from the counted value, Accounting information can be calculated every time.

  In addition, the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention is executed by the element processing execution unit from the element processing execution unit that executes processing including at least one of image reading processing, image formation processing, and communication processing, and the control device. An execution instruction receiving means for receiving an execution instruction for a cooperative process combining the processes, a first control command output means for outputting a first control command corresponding to the execution instruction received by the execution instruction receiving means, and the first A command correspondence information storage unit for storing command correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the first control command output by the control command output unit and the second control command acceptable by the element processing execution unit; The second control command corresponding to the first control command output from the control command output means is specified based on the command correspondence information. With a second control command identified and a control command converting means for outputting to said element processing executing means.

  Hardware resources such as a scanner, a printer, and a communication unit are indispensable for the image reading process, the image forming process, and the communication process. Since these hardware resources usually differ from one MFP to another, conventionally, when a process that requires these hardware resources is to be performed by the MFP, the control device instructs the MFP to execute it. Had to send. In other words, the control device needs to change the execution instruction for each multifunction device.

  On the other hand, according to the above configuration of the present invention, when the execution instruction is received by the first control command output means and the first control command is output based on the execution instruction, the output first control command is Then, the command conversion means converts the element control execution means into a second control command that can be received. In the multifunction device according to the present invention, since the command conversion unit is provided in the multifunction device, the first control command is transferred to the hardware resource of the multifunction device by the command conversion unit without changing the execution instruction for each multifunction device. Since it is converted into the corresponding second control command, the execution instruction can be made common among the multifunction machines.

  That is, the first control command may be common among multifunction devices, and the second control command may be different between multifunction devices.

  In the command correspondence information, the first control command may be associated with a plurality of the second control commands. According to the above configuration, a plurality of element processes can be combined and executed by the multifunction device by a single first control command.

  On the other hand, in order to solve the above-described problem, a control device according to the present invention is a control device that is communicably connected to a multifunction peripheral having a computer, and is a program that is executed by the computer of the multifunction peripheral. A transmission program storage unit that stores a program for the machine, a program transmission unit that reads the program for the multifunction machine from the transmission program storage unit and transmits the program to the multifunction machine, and the program transmission unit transmits the program to the multifunction machine And a multifunction device control means for transmitting an instruction to execute the multifunction device program.

  A control method for a control device according to the present invention is a control method for a control device that is communicably connected to a multi-function peripheral having a computer. Reading and transmitting to the multi-function peripheral, and multi-function peripheral control means transmitting to the multi-function peripheral an instruction to execute the multi-function peripheral program transmitted by the program transmission means. And

  According to the above configuration, the program for the MFP to be executed by the computer of the multifunction device is read from the transmission program storage unit and transmitted to the multifunction device by the program transmission unit. As a result, the control device can provide the multifunction device with a program that the multifunction device does not have, and the multifunction device can perform new processing that could not be performed at the time of factory shipment by the computer executing the provided program. Will be able to run.

  Further, according to the above configuration, an instruction to execute the MFP program is transmitted to the MFP by the MFP control means. As a result, it is possible to instruct execution of the program transmitted to the multifunction peripheral from the control device. Therefore, it is possible to realize a system that can control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral.

  Further, in the control device according to the present invention, the transmission program storage unit also stores version information of the multifunction device program in association with the multifunction device program stored therein, and the program transmission means includes Receives version information of the MFP program held by the MFP from the MFP, compares the received version information with the version information of the MFP program stored in the transmission program storage unit, and compares the result. Accordingly, it is preferable to transmit the MFP program stored in the transmission program storage unit to the MFP.

  According to the above configuration, the transmission program storage unit also stores the version information of the MFP program. Then, the version information received from the MFP and the version information stored in the transmission program storage unit are compared by the program transmission means, and the MFP program is transmitted according to the comparison result. Thus, when the multifunction device already has a newer version of the multifunction device program than the control device, the control device may omit sending the program to the multifunction device. This makes it possible to efficiently send and receive the MFP program.

  Further, in the control device according to the present invention, the multifunction device control means is provided in the multifunction device in addition to the instruction for executing the multifunction device program transmitted by the program transmission device, and is transmitted by the program transmission device. An instruction to execute a program for a multifunction device that has not been performed may also be transmitted.

  According to the above configuration, the control device, when shipped from the factory, has instructions for executing both the program provided by itself and the program originally provided by the multifunction device. Since it can be transmitted, it is possible to perform cooperative processing that combines processing based on the program originally possessed by the multifunction peripheral and processing based on the program provided by the MFP. Therefore, various cooperating processes can be executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the combination.

  The control device according to the present invention includes a computer, an execution program storage unit for storing a control device program that is a program to be executed by the computer of the own device, and an execution instruction transmitted by the multifunction device control means. Program that, when receiving a rejection notification indicating that the execution of the program for the multi-function device in accordance with the multi-function device has been rejected by the multi-function device, causes the computer of the own device to execute the program for the control device stored in the execution program storage unit It is preferable that a call means is provided.

  According to the above configuration, when the execution of the multifunction device program transmitted from the own device is rejected by the multifunction device, the program calling means reads the control device program from the execution program storage unit and stores it in the own computer. Execution is instructed. Therefore, if the execution program storage unit stores a program for its own machine corresponding to the program for the multifunction machine, the control device can perform processing based on the program rejected for execution in the multifunction machine instead. it can.

  The control device includes a program correspondence information storage unit in which identification information of the control device program and identification information of the multifunction device program are stored in association with each other, and the program calling unit includes the execution program storage unit. Based on the program correspondence information storage unit, the control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program whose execution is rejected in the multifunction device is specified, and the specified control device program is stored in the computer of the own device. It is preferable to execute.

  According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of sets of the MFP program and the corresponding control device program, the control device program corresponding to the MFP program is stored on the basis of the program corresponding information storage unit. A process that can be specified and rejected to be executed in the multi-function peripheral can be alternatively executed by the control device.

  The control device preferably further includes program conversion means for converting the multi-function device program into the control device program and storing the program in the execution program storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, even if the control device does not have a control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program, the program conversion means converts the multifunction device program into the control device program. The control device can alternatively execute a process whose execution is rejected in the multifunction peripheral.

  In order to solve the above problems, a multifunction device control system according to the present invention is a multifunction device control including a multifunction device having a computer and one or a plurality of control devices connected to the multifunction device so as to be communicable. The control device includes a transmission program storage unit that stores a program for a multifunction device that is a program to be executed by a computer of the multifunction device, and reads the program for the multifunction device from the transmission program storage unit. Program transmitting means for transmitting to the multifunction device, and multifunction device control means for transmitting an instruction to execute the multifunction device program transmitted by the program transmitting means to the multifunction device, wherein the multifunction device includes the multifunction device. A reception program storage unit for storing a program for the machine, and the reception program stored in the MFP by receiving the program for the multifunction machine from the control device. Program receiving means stored in the RAM storage section, and program calling means for causing the computer to execute the MFP program stored in the received program storage section in response to the execution instruction transmitted from the control device. It is characterized by having.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a system that can control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral.

  By the way, each means of the above-mentioned multifunction peripheral and control device may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. Specifically, the control program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as each unit of the multifunction peripheral or the control device, and the control program is recorded on the recording medium according to the present invention.

  When these control programs are executed by a computer, the computer operates as each unit of the multifunction peripheral or the control device. Therefore, similarly to the above-described multifunction device or control device, it is possible to realize a system that can integrally control the functions of the multifunction device and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction device.

  As described above, the MFP according to the present invention receives the program for the MFP from the control device and stores it in the received program storage unit, and executes the instruction for executing the program for the MFP transmitted from the control device. In response, the apparatus has a program calling means for causing the computer to execute the program for the multifunction machine stored in the received program storage unit.

  Also, in the multifunction device control method according to the present invention, the program receiving means receives the multifunction device program from the control apparatus and stores it in the received program storage section, and the program calling means is transmitted from the control apparatus. And a step of causing the computer to execute the multifunction device program stored in the received program storage unit in response to an instruction to execute the multifunction device program.

  On the other hand, the control device according to the present invention reads a program for a multifunction peripheral from a transmission program storage unit and transmits it to the multifunction peripheral, and executes the multifunction peripheral program transmitted by the program transmission means to the multifunction peripheral The apparatus includes a multifunction device control unit that transmits an instruction.

  Further, in the control method of the control device according to the present invention, the program transmitting unit reads the program for the multifunction device from the transmission program storage unit and transmits the program to the multifunction device, and the multifunction device control unit And a step of transmitting an instruction to execute the MFP program transmitted by the program transmitting means.

  The multi-function peripheral control system according to the present invention includes the multi-function peripheral and the control device.

  Therefore, as described above, it is possible to realize a system that can control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral.

  One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a multifunction machine control system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the MFP control system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device control system according to the present embodiment includes a multifunction device 1 and a plurality of control devices 2, and these devices are connected via a communication network. Of course, the number of multifunction devices included in the multifunction device control system may be plural, or the number of control devices included in the multifunction device control system may be one.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 2 provides various application programs (for example, an OCR program and a translation program) that can be executed by the multifunction device 1 to the multifunction device 1 via a communication network. As a result, the multifunction device 1 can acquire and execute various programs that were not installed at the time of factory shipment as necessary. Even if the program is updated after shipment from the factory, the latest version of the program can be acquired and executed from the control device 2 as necessary.

  Further, the control device 2 can control the processing of the multifunction device 1 by transmitting an execution instruction to the multifunction device 1 via the communication network. Furthermore, the control device 2 can perform a cooperative process in which functions of the multifunction device 1 are linked.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction machine 1 includes an operation unit 3, a control unit (computer) 100, a storage unit (computer) 105, a document reading unit 110, an image forming unit 115, and a communication unit 120. Are connected by a data bus.

  The operation unit 3 is for accepting input from the user, and includes an operation panel 6 and an input unit 5 described later. The document reading unit 110 includes a scanner 111 and a document transport unit 112, and can read characters or images printed on the document as image data.

  The image forming unit 115 is for printing an image (character / photo / graphic) corresponding to input image data on a sheet such as paper, and includes a printing mechanism 116 and a paper tray 117. The communication unit 120 is an interface for performing communication with an external device such as the control device 2.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101 and a dedicated processor 102. The storage unit 105 includes a RAM 106, a ROM 107, and an HDD 108.

  In the multifunction device 1, various functions are realized by the CPU 101 of the control unit 100 executing various programs stored in the storage unit 105. That is, when the CPU 101 executes the control program of the document reading unit 110, the document reading process is executed. Further, the CPU 101 executes a control program for the image forming unit 115 to execute an image forming (printing) process, and the CPU 101 executes a control program for the communication unit 120 to perform communication processing such as transmission / reception of various data. Executed. Further, in the multifunction machine 1, image processing such as OCR and translation is also executed by the CPU 101 executing the application program.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the operation unit 3 provided in the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 3 includes an operation panel (display unit) 6 for displaying an operation screen to the user, and an input unit 5 that receives user input. Note that the operation panel 6 employs a touch panel system and also serves as the input unit 5.

  The multifunction device 1 may be connectable to the UI device instead of the operation unit 3 or also as the operation unit 3. In this case, an operation screen is displayed on the UI device connected to the multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the control device 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 2 is a computer, and includes a UI unit 125, a control unit 130, a storage unit 135, an external storage device 140, and a communication unit 145, and these units are connected by a data bus. .

  The UI unit 125 is for accepting input from the user or notifying the user of information, and includes a keyboard 126, a mouse 127, and a display device 128. The communication unit 145 is an interface for performing communication with an external device such as the multifunction machine 1.

  The control unit 130 includes a CPU 131 and a dedicated processor 132. The storage unit 135 includes a RAM 136, a ROM 137, and an HDD 138. The external storage device 140 includes a CD / DVD 141 and an FDD 142.

  In the multifunction device 1, the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 135 to realize various functions. In other words, when the CPU 131 executes the control program of the UI unit 125, processing for receiving information input from the user and processing for notifying the user of information are executed. In addition, when the CPU 131 executes the control program of the communication unit 145, communication processing such as transmission / reception of various data is executed. Further, in the multifunction machine 1, image processing such as OCR and translation is also executed by the CPU 101 executing the application program.

  As a communication network to which the multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 are connected, the Internet, a telephone line, a serial cable, or another communication line such as a wired line or a wireless line can be used.

  The control device 2 may use one or a plurality of Web services provided by the multifunction device 1 in order to control various functions of the multifunction device 1. The Web service is a program process that makes it possible to use the function of the apparatus from the outside through a network, and SOAP is usually used.

  On the other hand, the multifunction device 1 accesses the control device 2 that is a Web server, acquires operation screen data from the control device 2, and causes the operation panel 6 to display the data. That is, the multifunction device 1 can interact with the user. Thus, the multifunction device 1 can display the operation screen only by requesting the operation screen data from the control device 2, and does not need to manage the operation screen data itself.

  With such a configuration, in the multifunction device control system of the present embodiment, a new function can be added to the multifunction device 1 from the control device 2 or the operation of the multifunction device 1 can be freely controlled. A flexible system can be constructed.

  Further, as will be described later, the MFP 1 has a common API (Application Program Interface) (execution instruction) that is disclosed to the outside regardless of the model. Accordingly, the control device 2 can output a common control instruction to the multifunction device 1 regardless of the model of the multifunction device 1, and can easily develop a program to be incorporated in the control device 2. ing. The API is a set of rules (functions) that define the relationship between an instruction that can be used in software development and a procedure executed by the instruction.

  The multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 use HTTP or HTTPS using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for communication related to the request / response of the operation screen data. Here, security can be improved by using HTTPS. The markup languages used in these communications include HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), WML (Wireless Markup Language), XHTML (eXtensible HyperText Markup Language), and / or other languages. The term consisting of

  Note that XML is a description language of a document structure in which data can be transmitted and received as easily as HTML. (A) A user can give meaning to a character string in a document. (B) It does not depend on specific software. c) There are advantages such as easy programming.

  On the other hand, communication of a control instruction when the control device 2 controls the multifunction device 1 is performed using an inter-object communication protocol such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) using a markup language such as XML. SOAP is a protocol for calling data and services based on XML and HTTP, and can link systems.

  The configurations of the control device 2 and the multifunction device 1 will be described below.

(Configuration of control device)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control device 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 2 includes an OS unit 21, a Web server unit 22, an MFP control logic unit 23, a cooperation module 24, and an application unit 25. These units are realized by cooperation of hardware including the control unit 130 and the storage unit 135 illustrated in FIG. 5 and software including a program stored in the storage unit 135.

  The OS unit 21 is a block that manages a computer system and performs processing according to an operating system (OS) that provides a basic user operating environment. Examples of the OS include Windows (registered trademark) and Linux.

  The web server unit 22 performs communication using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) (or HTTPS) or simple object access protocol (SOAP). The Web server unit 22 receives an HTTP request from the multifunction device 1 and transmits an HTTP response corresponding to the HTTP request. The Web server unit 22 is a block that performs an operation according to software such as Apache.

  The MFP control logic unit 23 performs display control of the operation screen (UI) of the multifunction device 1, execution control of processing based on various functions provided in the multifunction device 1, and provision of programs to the multifunction device 1. . The MFP control logic unit 23 includes an information reception unit 231, a screen data storage unit 232, a UI control unit 233, a control instruction table storage unit 234, a multifunction device function control unit (multifunction device control means) 235, an application instruction unit 236, and a multifunction device. A program transmission unit (program transmission unit) 237, a transmission program storage unit (transmission program storage unit) 238, and a program conversion unit (program conversion unit) 239 are provided.

  The screen data storage unit 232 stores data of various operation screens displayed on the operation panel 6 of the multifunction machine 1.

  The UI control unit 233 reads operation screen data from the screen data storage unit 232 in accordance with an instruction from the information reception unit 231 and outputs the operation screen data to the multifunction device 1 via the Web server unit 22. The UI control unit 233 transmits the operation screen data to the multi-function device 1 using HTTP (or HTTPS).

  The control instruction table storage unit 234 includes the content of the process to be executed by the multifunction device 1 and the control instruction (including the execution instruction) that can be received by the multifunction device 1 for executing the processing of the content. The control instruction table in which the corresponding relationship is indicated is stored.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control instruction table. As shown in FIG. 8, in the control instruction table, for example, the process “scan” is associated with the control instructions (execution instructions) “JobCreate”, “ExecuteScan”, and “JobClose”. In the control instruction table, when a plurality of control instructions are associated with one process, the output order of each control instruction is also shown.

  The control instruction shown in the control instruction table includes a set of first control commands for calling an API (first API) that is opened to the outside by the Open I / F layer 19 of the MFP 1 as will be described later. It has become. These commands are common commands independent of the model of the multifunction device 1.

  The multifunction device function control unit 235 reads a control instruction for the multifunction device 1 from the control instruction table storage unit 234 in accordance with an instruction from the information receiving unit 231 and transmits it to the multifunction device 1 via the Web server unit 22. It is. Note that the MFP function control unit 235 transmits a control instruction to the MFP 1 using SOAP.

  The control instruction transmitted by the multifunction device function control unit 235 instructs the multifunction device 1 to execute various processes that can be performed by the multifunction device 1. Upon receiving this control instruction, the multifunction device 1 causes the CPU 101 to execute a program corresponding to the control instruction, thereby executing processing based on various functions of the own machine. Therefore, it can be said that the control instruction transmitted by the multifunction device function control unit 235 is a program execution instruction for the multifunction device 1.

  The application instruction unit 236 instructs the application unit 25 to start various processes based on the application program in response to an instruction from the information reception unit 231.

  The transmission program storage unit 238 stores a plurality of MFP programs that are programs that can be executed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1. The contents of the MFP program are not particularly limited. For example, the tilt correction program for correcting the tilt of the scanned image, the OCR program for performing character recognition on the scanned image, and the English text acquired by the character recognition translated into Japanese English-to-Japanese translation program.

  Further, the transmission program storage unit 238 also includes a multifunction device program management table for managing the location and version information of the plurality of multifunction device programs described above. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multifunction peripheral program management table. As shown in FIG. 7, in the multifunction device program management table, for each multifunction device program, a program identifier, a program name, program version information, and a program storage address are shown.

  In response to an instruction from the information receiving unit 231, the multi-function device program transmission unit 237 reads the multi-function device program from the transmission program storage unit 238 and transmits the multi-function device program to the multi-function device 1 via the Web server unit 22.

  In response to an instruction from the information receiving unit 231, the program conversion unit 239 reads the multifunction device program from the transmission program storage unit 238 and converts the multifunction device program into a control device program that can be executed by the CPU 131 of the own device. To do. Then, the program conversion unit 239 stores the converted control device program in the storage unit 135. The converted control device program then functions as a part of the application unit 25.

  The information reception unit 231 receives information transmitted from the multifunction device 1 via the Web server unit 22, and performs processing corresponding to the information as a UI control unit 233, an application instruction unit 236, a multifunction device function control unit 235, It instructs the multi-function device program transmission unit 237 and the program conversion unit 239. Information received by the information receiving unit 231 from the multifunction device 1 includes (1) a request for transmission of operation screen data, (2) selected item information indicating an item selected by the user on the operation screen, and (3) a user on the operation screen. (4) Execution request of processing using various applications by the application unit 25, (5) Request for transmission of program for multifunction device, (6) Multifunction device program in multifunction device 1 Includes a rejection notice indicating that execution of the machine has been rejected, a program for the multifunction machine whose execution has been rejected, and (7) a completion notice transmitted from the multifunction machine 1 after the process is executed in the multifunction machine 1. .

  The operation screen in (1) includes, for example, an execution process selection screen for causing the user to select a process to be executed by the multifunction machine 1, a login screen for performing user authentication, and the like. When receiving the above (1), the information receiving unit 231 instructs the UI control unit 233 to transmit the corresponding operation screen data.

  Further, the above (2) includes, for example, one indicating the type of process selected on the execution process selection screen. Upon receiving the above (2), the information reception unit 231 instructs the multifunction device function control unit 235 to transmit an instruction to execute the selected process to the multifunction device 1. For example, when the user selects a scan process in the multifunction device 1, the information reception unit 231 that receives the selected process information indicating that the scan process has been selected is sent to the multifunction device function control unit 235. In response to this, an instruction to transmit the scan process is sent to the multifunction device 1.

  Further, (3) includes authentication information such as a user ID and a password. When the information receiving unit 231 receives the authentication information, the information receiving unit 231 inputs the authentication information to a user authentication unit (not shown) of the application unit 25, and the user who authenticates the user authentication unit is a regular user. Whether or not it is determined based on the authentication information.

  The above (4) includes, for example, a request for executing a user authentication process using an authentication application, a request for executing a counting process using an event counting application, and the like. However, the execution request of the above (4) received by the information receiving unit 231 is not limited to these, and is information received arbitrarily (or periodically) from the multi-function device 1. It is sufficient that the unit 25 performs some processing. When the information receiving unit 231 receives the above (4), the information receiving unit 231 instructs the application instructing unit 236 to cause a user authentication unit and a totaling processing unit (not shown) of the application unit 25 to function.

  Further, when receiving the above (5), the information receiving unit 231 instructs the multi-function device program 237 to transmit the multi-function device program to the multi-function device 1, and when receiving the above (6), the program When the conversion unit 239 is instructed to generate a control device program that replaces the program rejected to be executed in the multifunction device 1 based on the received multifunction device program, and when the above (7) is received, The multi-function device function control unit 235 is instructed to transmit an execution instruction for subsequent processing to the multi-function device 1.

  The information receiving unit 231 gives these instructions based on the event table stored in the storage unit 105. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a part of the event table. As shown in FIG. 25, the event table shows the information received by the information receiving means, and the target and contents to be instructed when the information is received.

  The application unit 25 is a block that performs processing based on various application programs. These processes are performed by the CPU 131 executing an application program stored in the storage unit 135. The application unit 25 is, for example, an authentication application that determines whether or not the user is registered in advance, a document management application that stores and manages image data, an event totaling application that totals events executed by the multifunction device 1, and the like. The operation according to is performed.

  The cooperation module 24 is a module for connecting the application unit 25 and the MFP control logic unit 23. The cooperation module 24 transmits a command from the application instruction unit 236 to the application unit 25 and also transmits a command from the application unit 25 to the multifunction device function control unit 235.

(Configuration of MFP)
Next, the configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 includes a user interface layer 11, an application layer 12, a service layer 13, a driver layer 14, an OS layer 15, a UI service layer 16, a Web service layer 17, an OSA application layer 18, and An Open I / F layer 19 is provided. Each of these layers and the blocks included therein are realized by cooperation of hardware including the control unit 100 and the storage unit 105 shown in FIG. 3 and software including a program stored in the storage unit 105. The

  The user interface layer 11 is an interface for the user to operate the multifunction device 1. The user interface layer 11 stores an operation screen (unique operation screen) unique to the multifunction machine 1 and displays the unique operation screen on the operation panel 6. The user can control the multifunction device 1 by inputting execution of a desired process on the unique operation screen.

  Note that the operation panel unit 11 a of the user interface layer 11 performs processing for transmitting information input on the operation screen of the multifunction machine 1 to the application layer 12.

  In addition, the Web page unit 11 b performs processing for transmitting information input on the Web page to the application layer 12.

  The application layer 12 operates in accordance with an application program that executes various element processes of the multifunction device 1 in cooperation with each other. The above element processing is based on scan processing executed by controlling the document reading unit 110 shown in FIG. 3, printing (print) processing executed by controlling the image forming unit 115, and an application program. Examples thereof include image processing and network processing executed by controlling the communication unit 120. And a cooperation process is implement | achieved by combining these element processes. In the present embodiment, the user instructs execution of the cooperation process.

  Cooperative processing combining element processing includes, for example, copying (copying) processing executed by combining scanning processing, image processing, and printing processing, scanning processing, character recognition (OCR) processing, and English-Japanese translation processing. There is a translation copy process executed in combination with a print process. Hereinafter, cooperation processing and element processing are distinguished from each other.

  The application layer 12 of the present embodiment includes a copy application 12a for executing / controlling a copy process that is a cooperative process, a print application 12b for executing / controlling a print process, and scanned image data externally. Image transmission application 12c for performing / controlling image transmission processing to be transmitted to the device, document filing application 12d for performing / controlling document filing processing, and user authentication for performing / controlling user authentication processing An application 12e, a FAX reception application 12f for executing / controlling FAX reception processing, a TWAIN application 12g for executing / controlling TWAIN processing, and the like are included.

  The service layer 13 is a layer positioned below the application layer 12 and executes various element processes of the multifunction device 1 in accordance with instructions from the application layer 12.

  The service layer 13 of the present embodiment includes a scan service 13a that performs elemental scan processing, a print service 13b that performs print processing, a job log service 13c that manages information for each job, and images such as image creation An image processing service 13d that executes a forming process, a file service 13e that performs a process for managing images such as document filing, a WWW server service 13f that performs a process for accessing remotely via a Web page, a LAN, a telephone line, and the like There is a network service 13g that performs communication processing using the.

  The driver layer 14 is a layer positioned below the service layer 13 and controls the hardware of the multifunction machine 1 in order to execute the above element processing. Each unit of the service layer 13 performs an operation according to a driver program for controlling various hardware included in the multifunction device 1.

  The driver layer 14 of this embodiment includes an ASIC driver 14a for image formation, a USB driver 14b for USB communication, a serial communication driver 14c for serial communication, a NIC driver 14d for LAN communication, and an operation panel. There are an LCD driver 14e for performing display control 6 and a power driver 14f for performing power management.

  The OS layer 15 is a layer positioned below the driver layer 14 and manages the operating system.

  The user interface layer 11, the application layer 12, the service layer 13, the driver layer 14, and the OS layer 15 perform operations according to software unique to the multifunction device 1, and are different for each multifunction device 1. . By providing these layers, the multifunction device 1 can directly accept an instruction from the user without going through the communication network, and can perform an operation in accordance with the instruction.

  However, when the multifunction device 1 has only the unique layers as described above, the control device 2 must generate a control instruction for each multifunction device 1 when controlling the multifunction device 1. Processing becomes complicated. Therefore, the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment further includes the following layers so that a common control instruction can be received from the external control device 2.

  The UI service layer 16 acquires operation screen data from the control device 2 using HTTP (or HTTPS), and displays an operation screen based on the acquired operation screen data on the operation panel 6. The UI service layer 16 may have a function of a general web browser.

  By providing the UI service layer 16 and the user interface layer 11, the user operates the operation screen of the operation panel 6 by operating the operation screen (displayed by the user interface layer 11) unique to the multifunction device 1. It is possible to switch between a standard operation mode in which a function corresponding to an operation is executed in the multifunction device 1 and an open system mode using a network resource (for example, an RCD application). .

  The UI service layer 16 includes a UI manager 16 a that controls display of a UI (operation screen) provided from the control device 2.

  The UI service layer 16 transmits transmission request information (request information) for requesting operation screen data to the control device 2 specified by the address information using HTTP (or HTTPS). Then, the UI manager 16a displays an operation screen on the operation panel 6 based on the operation screen data acquired as a response. As described above, the UI manager functions as a UI processing unit that receives operation screen data from the control device 2 and causes the operation panel 6 to display an operation screen corresponding to the received data.

  In addition, the UI manager 16a transmits push button information indicating the button pressed on the operation screen to the control device 2 using HTTP (or HTTPS), acquires new operation screen data as a response, and An operation screen corresponding to the data is displayed on the operation panel 6. That is, the UI manager 16a also functions as an information notification unit that notifies the control device 2 of various types of information acquired from the user.

  The Web service layer 17 receives a control instruction transmitted from the control device 2 using SOAP, and calls an appropriate module of the OSA application layer 18 corresponding to the control instruction. Further, the Web service layer 17 generates a SOAP command indicating information received from the OSA application layer 18 and transmits it to the control device 2. The Web service layer 17 stores a control instruction and a module of the OSA application layer 18 appropriate for the control indicated by the control instruction in association with each other, and calls an appropriate module according to the stored contents.

  The Web service layer 17 according to the present embodiment includes a UI manager 17a that processes a Web service related to UI control, a job manager 17b that processes a Web service related to job control, an event manager 17c that processes a Web service related to an event transmission request, a job and a device A status manager 17d that processes a Web service related to status control, a service manager 17e for registering information related to the OSA application layer 18, a data transmission / reception manager 17f that processes a Web service for transmitting and receiving job data, and the like.

  The OSA application layer 18 is a layer for controlling the above-described cooperation processing, and based on the application program, the first API (first control command) included in the processing execution instruction from the control device 2 is an Open I / F layer. 19 output. As will be described later, the API that can be used (opened) in the Open I / F layer 19 does not depend on the model of the multifunction device 1. Therefore, the OSA application layer 18 does not need to change the program code for each multifunction device 1.

  The OSA application layer 18 of this embodiment includes a copy application 18a for executing / controlling copy processing, a print application 18b for executing / controlling print processing, and scanned image data to an external device. Scan application 18c for performing / controlling image transmission processing to be transmitted, document filing application 18d for performing / controlling document filing processing, user authentication application 18e for performing / controlling user authentication processing, FAX FAX reception application 18f for executing / controlling reception processing, TWAIN application 18g for executing / controlling TWAIN processing, and program registration for registering and managing application programs downloaded from the control device 2 Management app (program Shin means) 18h, execution time estimation application (execution time estimation means for estimating the time required to perform the processing) 18i, and the like.

  The Open I / F layer 19 publishes a first API for controlling the service layer 13 to the OSA application layer 18, receives a first control command for calling the first API from the OSA application layer 18, and receives the received first API. One control command is converted into a second control command that can be accepted by the service layer 13.

  The Open I / F layer 19 is a command conversion table (command correspondence) that associates the first control command received from the OSA application layer 18 with the second control command for calling the second API published by the service layer 13 to the outside. A command conversion table storage unit (command conversion table storage unit) (not shown) for storing information) is provided, and the second API published by the service layer 13 is called according to the conversion table. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command conversion table held by the Open I / F layer 19.

  The Open I / F layer 19 has a common first API that is disclosed to the OSA application layer 18 regardless of the multifunction device 1. Accordingly, it is not necessary to change the program code of the OSA application layer 18, and the method that the Web service layer 17 discloses to an external device can be defined in common regardless of the multifunction device 1. That is, each control device 2 can control the Web service layer 17 using a common method regardless of the multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the function of the Open I / F layer 19. In FIG. 9, the model A multifunction peripheral 1 includes a scan service 13 a and a print service 13 b as the service layer 13. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the Open I / F layer 19 of the model A multifunction peripheral 1 has a first API (first control command) “Execute Copy” and a second API (second control) as shown in FIG. Command) “Do Scan” and “Do Print” are stored in association with each other. Therefore, when receiving the first API (first control command) “Execute Copy”, the Open I / F layer 19 executes the scan service 13a and the print service 13b according to the converted second API (second control command).

  On the other hand, the MFP 1 of the model B has a copy service as the service layer 13. In this case, the Open I / F layer 19 of the MFP 1 of the model B uses the first API (first control command) “Execute Copy” and the second API (second control command) “Do Copy” as the command correspondence table. It is stored in association. Therefore, when receiving the first API (first control command) 'Execute Copy', the Open I / F layer 19 executes the copy service according to the converted second API (second control command).

  As described above, according to the Open I / F layer 19, the control device 2 and the OSA application layer 18 can perform copy using a common API (control command) called “Execute Copy” regardless of the model of the multifunction device. Execution can be instructed. That is, even when the service layer of the multifunction device 1 is different for each model, the control device 2 and the OSA application layer 18 execute each service using the same execution instruction and the first API (first control command). Can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the execution instruction and the first API (first control command) separately for each model of the multifunction device 1, and the program used for the control device 2 and the OSA application layer 18 can be easily developed.

(Outline operation of MFP control system)
Next, the operation of the multifunction machine control system will be schematically described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of the MFP control system of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, a login process of a user who uses the multifunction machine 1 is performed (S1). Here, the user authentication is not performed in the multifunction device 1 but in the control device 2. Therefore, even when a plurality of MFPs 1 are included in each MFP control system, each MFP 1 does not need to manage user information.

  Next, in the control device 2, it is determined whether or not the user who uses the multifunction device 1 is an administrator (S2). If the user is an administrator, the process proceeds to step S3, and maintenance processing of the multifunction device program is performed. On the other hand, if the user is not a manager but a general user, the process proceeds to step S4, and various cooperation processes such as a copying process and an English-Japanese translation process are performed in the multifunction device 1.

  The operation of each step will be described in detail below.

(Login process)
First, the login process in step S1 described above will be described in detail.

  In the multifunction device control system of the present embodiment, the login process is executed when the multifunction device 1 operates in cooperation with the authentication application of the control device 2. That is, as described above, the control device 2 performs an authentication process as to whether or not the user is a valid user based on the login information input to the multifunction device 1 by the user.

  First, before explaining the login process in the MFP control system of the present embodiment, a comparative example based on a conventional technique will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flow of authentication processing in a comparative example in which communication is performed using only HTTP. In HTTP, an HTTP request (request) and an HTTP response (response) are communicated as a one-to-one pair. That is, when the client makes an HTTP request to the server, the server returns an HTTP response corresponding to the HTTP request to the client. In this way, the server cannot send any data to the client without an HTTP request, and the client cannot receive any data from the server without sending an HTTP request. .

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the comparative example, when the multifunction device 1 (client) transmits login data to the server, the server responds to the transmission, and after the authentication processing is completed, the server displays the next operation screen data. Send to the MFP 1. In this case, the user cannot confirm the next screen until the authentication process ends, and is anxious whether the authentication process is normally performed. Therefore, it is necessary to display a screen such as “being logged in” on the operation panel 6 of the multifunction device 1. However, in the comparative example, if the screen “logged in” is returned as a response to the login data transmission, the next operation screen data cannot be transmitted. This is because there is no request from the multifunction device 1.

  According to the present embodiment, even when the application unit 25 of the control device 2 performs some processing in response to an HTTP request from the multi-function device 1, the operation panel 6 of the multi-function device 1 is in the process. It is possible to change the operation screen. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing login processing in the present embodiment.

  First, in the multi-function device 1, the UI manager 16a of the UI service layer 16 determines the control device 2 for which the user desires login processing from among a plurality of control devices 2 existing on the network. A list is displayed, and a server selection screen for prompting the user to select the control device 2 is displayed on the operation panel 6.

  Then, the user selects the control device 2 that desires the login process. FIG. 13 is an example of a screen when the user selects the control device 2 on the server selection screen.

  Next, in the MFP 1, the UI manager 16a of the UI service layer 16 transmits a request for requesting transmission of login screen data to the control device 2 selected by the user (S51).

  In the control device 2 that has received this request, the information receiving unit 231 instructs the UI control unit 233 to transmit the login screen data to the multifunction device 1 (S52), and the UI control unit 233 displays the login screen data. Is retrieved from the screen data storage unit 232 and returned to the multi function device 1 (S53).

  In the MFP 1, the UI manager 16a of the UI service layer 16 displays a login screen based on the received screen data. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen.

  In response to this, the user inputs login data (user name and password) through the operation panel 6 or the input unit 5 and presses the OK button. FIG. 15 is an example of a login screen when an administrator inputs login information, and FIG. 16 is an example of a login screen when a general user inputs login information. Upon receiving this input, the UI manager 16a transmits to the control device 2 push button information indicating that the OK button has been pressed, together with the input login data (S54).

  Next, when the information receiving unit 231 of the control device 2 receives the above-described push button information, the notification that “logged in” is displayed to the UI control unit 233 with reference to the event table shown in FIG. The screen data is instructed to be transmitted to the multifunction device 1 (S55), and the application instruction unit 236 is instructed to call the authentication application (S56).

  As a result, in accordance with the transmission instruction in step S55, the UI control unit 233 reads out the data of the notification screen displayed as “logged in” from the screen data storage unit 232, and transmits it to the multi function device 1 (S57). The UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 receives the notification screen data and causes the operation panel 6 to display a notification screen corresponding to the received data.

  On the other hand, the application instruction unit 236 instructs the application unit 25 to execute processing based on the authentication application program in accordance with the instruction in step S56. In response, the application unit 25 performs user authentication processing using a pre-registered authentication database based on the authentication application program (S58).

  When the user authentication is successful, the application unit 25 instructs the multifunction device function control unit 235 to transmit an authentication success notification notifying that the authentication is successful to the multifunction device 1 (S59). In accordance with this, the MFP function control unit 235 transmits an authentication success notification to the MFP 1 (S60).

  Further, the multifunction device function control unit 235 transmits a control instruction to instruct the multifunction device 1 to change the operation screen (S62). Here, if the authenticated user is an administrator, the multifunction device function control unit 235 instructs to request data of the management menu screen, while if the authenticated user is a general user, execute Instruct to request data of process menu screen.

  On the other hand, if the authentication fails in step S58, an error screen indicating that the authentication has failed is displayed on the operation panel 6 of the multifunction machine 1.

  Note that SOAP is used for data communication in steps S60 and S62.

(Maintenance processing for MFP programs)
First, the maintenance process of the MFP program in step S3 of FIG. 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing maintenance processing of the MFP program.

  When the user authenticated in step S58 described above is an administrator, the UI control unit 233 of the control device 2 reads the data of the management menu screen from the screen data storage unit 232 and transmits it to the multifunction device 1. (S101). This management menu screen displays a list of items of management contents that can be selected by the user. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, (i) from the control device 2 to the multifunction device 1 for all multifunction devices. Two selection items are displayed: “MFP program transmission” for transmitting the application program, and (II) “MFP program update” for updating the application program included in the MFP 1.

  Next, the UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 receives the data of the management menu screen and displays the management menu screen corresponding to the data on the operation panel 6 (S102). Then, the user refers to the management menu screen and selects a desired processing item, that is, any one of the above (i) and (ii) by using the operation panel 6 or the input unit 5 (S103). As a result, the UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 acquires information (selected item information) that identifies the item selected by the user. The selected item information is acquired as push button information.

  Next, the UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 notifies the content of the process selected by the user by transmitting the selected item information to the control device 2 (S104). Then, the information receiving unit 231 of the control device 2 receives the selected item information, interprets the received information as a transmission request for the multi-function peripheral program, and the user selects any of the above (i) and (ii) Is determined (S105).

  Here, if the selected item information transmitted from the multifunction device 1 is a request for execution of (i), the information receiving unit 231 instructs the multifunction device program transmission unit 237 of the multifunction device program. An instruction is sent to the multifunction device 1 to transmit the set, and the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the multi-function device program transmission unit 237 reads all the multi-function device programs stored in the transmission program storage unit 238, and the multi-function device 1 reads the read multi-function device program together with an instruction to execute a program registration process. Send to. Then, the process proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, the job manager 17b of the Web service layer 17 of the MFP 1 receives the program registration processing execution instruction transmitted from the control device 2, and the data transmission / reception manager 17f is transmitted from the control device 2. In response to the execution instruction, the job manager 17b calls the program registration management application 18h of the OSA application layer 18 and instructs the data transmission / reception manager 17f to register the received multifunction device program. Then, the program registration management application 18h can receive the MFP program from the data transmission / reception manager 17f and store it in the storage unit 105, and can call the MFP program from the job manager 17b as an application of the OSA application layer 18. (S111).

  This registration is performed by the program registration management application 18h updating the program management table stored in the storage unit 105. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program management table. In the program management table, for each MFP program, a program identifier, a program name, program version information, an ID of a user who can execute the program, the cumulative number of executions of the program by the user, and a storage address of the program It is shown.

  The program registration management application 18h refers to this program management table, and when the received multifunction machine program is a new program, the program registration management application 18h newly adds data about the received multifunction machine program to the table. On the other hand, if the received MFP program already has, the program registration management application 18h overwrites the data of the corresponding MFP program in the table.

  Since the job manager 17b of the Web service layer 17 calls each application of the OSA application layer 18 with reference to the program management table, the program registration management application 18h updates the program management table and receives it from the control device 2. It becomes possible to call the multifunction device program. For example, when a character recognition program and an English-Japanese translation program are newly registered in step S111, the OSA application layer 18 shown in FIG. 1 is changed as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the information transmitted from the multifunction device 1 requests execution of (ii) in step S105, the information reception unit 231 sends the updated multifunction device to the multifunction device program transmission unit 237. Instructing the user to transmit the program for use to the multifunction device 1, and the process proceeds to step S <b> 107.

  In step S <b> 107, the MFP program transmission unit 237 transmits a request for version list information indicating the version information of all the programs stored in the storage unit 105 of the MFP 1 to the MFP 1. Then, the job manager 17b of the Web service layer 17 of the multifunction device 1 receives the request for version list information transmitted from the control device 2, and sends the version list information to the program registration management application 18h of the OSA application layer 18. To send.

  In response to this, the program registration management application 18h extracts the version information of the program from the above-described program management table, and a version list in which a list of version information of all the programs of the own device is shown. Information is created and transmitted to the control device 2 via the Web service layer 17 (S108). Then, the information accepting unit 231 of the control device 2 receives this version list information and inputs it to the multifunction device program transmitting unit 237.

  Next, the multifunction device program transmission unit 237 displays the version list information transmitted from the multifunction device 1 and the version information shown in the multifunction device program management table (see FIG. 7) stored in the transmission program storage unit 238. Are compared (S109). Here, if a newer version of the program than the program of the multifunction device 1 is found, the multifunction device program transmission unit 237 reads the program from the transmission program storage unit 238.

  Then, the multifunction device program transmission unit 237 transmits the read multifunction device program to the multifunction device 1 together with an instruction to execute the program registration process. Then, it progresses to step S111 and the registration of the program mentioned above is performed.

  When the program registration is performed in step S111, the program registration management application 18h notifies the control device 2 that the program registration is completed via the Web service layer 17 (S112). Then, the UI control unit 233 of the control device 2 transmits data of a completion notification screen indicating that the processing as illustrated in FIG. 21 is completed to the multifunction device 1 (S113), and the UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 A completion screen is displayed on the operation panel 6 (S114).

(Cooperation with MFP)
Next, various cooperation processes by the multifunction machine in step S4 in FIG. 10 will be described in detail. 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing the cooperation processing by the multifunction machine 1.

  First, when the user authenticated in step S58 described above is a general user, the UI control unit 233 of the control device 2 reads out the data of the execution process menu screen from the screen data storage unit 232 and sends it to the multifunction device 1. Transmit (S201). The execution process menu screen displays a list of process items that can be selected by the user. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the execution process menu screen.

  The UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 receives the data of the execution process menu screen and displays the execution process menu screen corresponding to the data on the operation panel 6 (S202). Then, the user refers to the execution process menu screen and selects a desired process item using the operation panel 6 or the input unit 5 (S203). As a result, the UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 acquires information (selected item information) for specifying the item selected by the user. The selected item information is acquired as push button information.

  Next, the UI manager 16a of the multifunction device 1 transmits the selected item information to the information receiving unit 231 of the control device 2, thereby notifying the content of the process selected by the user (S204). Then, the information reception unit 231 refers to the event table shown in FIG. 25 and sends an appropriate execution instruction to the multifunction device 1 to the multifunction device function control unit 235 according to the content of the process selected by the user. An instruction to transmit is given (S205).

  For example, when the “English-Japanese translation and copy” process is selected on the execution process menu screen shown in FIG. 24, the information reception unit 231 refers to the event table to the MFP function control unit 235. An instruction to send an execution instruction for the scan process to the multifunction device 1 is given. Hereinafter, a case where the “English-Japanese translation and copy” process is selected on the execution process menu screen will be described as an example.

  Next, in accordance with the instruction from the information receiving unit 231, the multi-function device function control unit 235 sends a process execution instruction, the user ID authenticated in step S58, and the identification information of the own device to the job manager 17b of the multi-function device 1. (S206). Further, when data is required for execution of processing such as OCR processing, translation processing, or printing processing, the multifunction device function control unit 235 sends the data (hereinafter referred to as “input data”) to the data transmission / reception manager 17f of the multifunction device 1. Send to. In addition, transmission / reception of an execution instruction or the like in step S206 is performed using SOAP.

  To explain this step in the above example, the MFP function control unit 235 reads scan processing execution instructions (“JobCreate”, “ExecuteScan”, and “JobClose”) from the control instruction table storage unit 234, and sends the execution instructions to the execution instructions. The user ID and identification information of the own device are added and transmitted to the Web service layer 17 of the multifunction device 1.

  Next, the job manager 17b of the Web service layer 17 receives the execution instruction, the user ID, and the identification information of the control device, and whether the received execution instruction is transmitted from the control device 2 registered in advance. Is determined (S207). That is, in the MFP 1 of this embodiment, control device restriction information indicating a list of identification information of control devices that are permitted to accept execution instructions is stored in the storage unit 105, and the job manager 17b It is determined whether the control device identification information received together with the control device restriction information is registered.

  If the received identification information is not registered in the control device restriction information, the job manager 17b determines that the received execution instruction is not valid and notifies the control device 2 of an error (S208). ). As a result, in the control device 2, the UI control unit 233 transmits the error screen data to the multifunction device 1 in accordance with the instruction of the information reception unit 231 (S 209), and the error screen is displayed on the operation panel 6 of the multifunction device 1. (S212).

  On the other hand, if the received identification information is registered in the control device restriction information in step S207, the job manager 17b has the authority that the user ID received together with the execution instruction executes a program used for processing based on the execution instruction. Is determined with reference to the above-described program management table shown in FIG. 19 (S210).

  In the example described above, the execution instruction “ExecuteScan” instructs execution of the “scan” program indicated by the identifier “M_0018” in the program management table shown in FIG. It is determined whether the user ID received together with the execution instruction is included in the executable user ID shown in FIG.

  If the received user ID does not have the authority to execute the program used for the processing based on the execution instruction, the job manager 17b notifies the control device 2 of an error (S211). As a result, in the control device 2, the UI control unit 233 transmits the error screen data to the multifunction device 1 in accordance with the instruction of the information reception unit 231 (S 209), and the error screen is displayed on the operation panel 6 of the multifunction device 1. (S212).

  On the other hand, if the received user ID has the authority to execute the program in step S210, the job manager 17a calls the execution time estimation application 18i of the OSA application layer 18. Then, the execution time estimation application 18i estimates the time required for performing the process based on the execution instruction (that is, the program execution time) (S213).

  For example, when the execution instruction from the control device 2 is an English-Japanese translation process, the time required for the process depends on the amount of text that must be translated. Here, when the multifunction device 1 translates a large amount of text, the user cannot execute other processing during translation. Therefore, the execution time estimation application 18i approximates the time required for the process, and determines whether or not to perform the process according to the approximate result.

  Here, it is considered that the time required for processing depends on the size of data to be processed, such as the amount of text to be translated in the case of English-Japanese translation. Therefore, the execution time estimation application 18i estimates the time required for processing based on the input data received by the data transmission / reception manager 17f when the job manager 17b receives the execution instruction.

For example, if the size of the input data is N and the parameter determined for each processing content (application program) is A, the execution time T is expressed by the following equations (1) to (4) T = A × N (1)
T = A × NlogN (2)
T = A × N ² (3)
T = A × 2 ^N (4)
It can be calculated by any of the above. Of course, the above equations (1) to (4) may be selected and used according to the type of processing such as printing processing, OCR processing, and translation processing.

  When there is no input data as in the scan process, the processing time estimation step may be omitted, the processing time may be estimated by another method, or a predetermined time may be used as the processing time. May be considered.

  Next, the execution time estimation application 18i determines whether or not the estimated processing time is equal to or greater than a threshold (S214). This threshold value may be a fixed value set in advance, or may be a value that varies according to the amount of jobs that the multifunction device 1 already has.

  If the estimated processing time is not equal to or greater than the threshold, the job manager 17b updates the cumulative number of executions of the application (program) called based on the execution instruction in the program management table shown in FIG. 19 (S219). ). More specifically, since the cumulative number of executions is provided for each user in the program management table, the job manager 17b increments the cumulative number of executions corresponding to the user ID received in step S206.

  Thereafter, the job manager 17b calls an application for performing processing based on the execution instruction. As a result, processing based on the execution instruction is performed (S220).

  In the example described above, the job manager 17b that has received the execution instruction “ExecuteScan” of the scan process calls the scan application 18c from the OSA application layer 18. Here, calling the scan application 18c means that the job manager 17b causes the CPU 101 to execute the “scan” program with reference to the program management table shown in FIG.

  Of course, when the job manager 17b receives an instruction to execute the character recognition process or the English-Japanese translation process, the character recognition application 18j or the English-Japanese translation application 18k newly added in FIG. 20 is called (that is, the control device 2). The CPU 101 can execute the “character recognition” program or the “English-Japanese translation” program received from the CPU 101).

  In the OSA application layer 18 and below of the multifunction device 1, the instructed processing is roughly divided into the following two procedures. First, when the instructed process can be executed by hardware including only the CPU 101 and the storage unit 105 as in the character recognition process and the translation process, the application of the OSA application layer 18 executes the process as it is.

  On the other hand, when hardware other than the control unit 100 and the storage unit 105 is required as in scan processing or print processing, the called application of the OSA application layer 18 is serviced via the Open I / F layer 19. Invoke layer 13 service. Then, the service of the called service layer 13 executes processing while calling a driver included in the driver layer 14 that controls desired hardware.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the scan processing execution instruction is transmitted from the control device 2 (S301) and the scan application 18c is called in the OSA application layer 18 (S303), the scan application 18c The first control command “ExecuteScan” is output to the F layer 19 (S304).

  Then, the Open I / F layer 19 refers to the command correspondence table of FIG. 8, and the second control commands “Do Scan”, “Save File”, and “SenByFTP” corresponding to the received first control command “ExecuteScan”. Are sequentially output to the service layer 13 (S306). As a result, according to the second control command “Do Scan”, the scan service 13 a of the service layer 13 is called, and the scan service 13 a calls the driver for controlling the document reading unit 110 of the driver layer 14 while reading the document. Is executed (S307). Subsequently, the file service 13e stores the data obtained by reading the document as a file. Finally, the network service 13g transmits the saved file to the control device 2 by FTP (S308).

  Thereafter, a completion notification indicating completion of processing is sent from the service layer 13 in the order of the Open I / F layer 19, the OSA application layer 18, and the Web service layer 17, and the event manager 17 c of the Web service layer 17 A completion notification is transmitted to the information receiving unit 231 (S221 in FIG. 23, S309 to S312 in FIG. 26). The completion notification is transmitted using SOAP.

  The information receiving unit 231 of the control device 2 that has received the process completion notification refers to the event table (S222) and determines whether there is a next process to be performed continuously (S223). If there is a next process, the process returns to step S206, and the multifunction peripheral function control unit 235 transmits an instruction to execute the next process in accordance with an instruction from the information receiving unit 231. If there is data necessary for processing, the multifunction device function control unit 235 transmits the data to the data transmission / reception manager 17 f of the multifunction device 1.

  For example, when the “English-Japanese translation copy” process is selected by the user and the MFP 1 completes the scan process, the information reception unit 231 refers to the event table of FIG. 25 to the MFP function control unit 235. On the other hand, an instruction to execute the character recognition process, which is the next process, is sent to the multifunction device 1. At this time, the scan data obtained earlier is also transmitted to the data transmission / reception manager 17f. Similarly, an English-Japanese translation process is performed when the character recognition process is completed, and a print process is performed when the English-Japanese translation process is completed.

  If all the processes are completed in S223, the information receiving unit 231 transmits to the multifunction device 1 data on a completion notification screen that notifies the UI control unit 233 that all the processes are completed. In accordance with this, the UI control unit 233 transmits the data on the completion notification screen to the multi function device 1 (S223).

  Then, the UI manager 17a of the multifunction machine 1 displays a completion notification screen corresponding to the received data on the operation panel 6 (S224). FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the completion notification screen.

Incidentally, in step S214, when the processing time estimated by the execution time estimation application 18i is equal to or greater than the threshold, the job manager 17b rejects execution of the instructed processing to the information reception unit 231 of the control device 2. A rejection notification indicating the fact is transmitted (S215). At this time, the job manager 17b also transmits the identifier of the multifunction device program corresponding to the processing for rejecting execution.

  The information receiving unit 231 that has received the rejection notification instructs the application instruction unit 236 to cause the application unit 25 to perform the processing whose execution is rejected. Then, the application instruction unit 236 first has a control unit program corresponding to the MFP program rejected to be executed in the storage unit 135 of the own device in order to perform the processing whose execution is rejected in the MFP 1. It is determined whether or not (S216).

  This step will be described in detail. The control unit program management table shown in FIG. 28 is stored in the storage unit 135 of the control device 2 of the present embodiment. In this control device program management table, information about each application program stored in the storage unit 135 of the control device 2 and executed by the CPU 131 of the own device is shown. The program identifier, the program name, the program version information, the identification information of the corresponding multifunction device program, and the program storage address are shown.

  The application instruction unit 236 refers to the control device program management table and determines whether or not the identification information of the multifunction device program transmitted together with the rejection notice is indicated in the control device program management table. In this case, the application instruction unit 236 refers to the storage address and the execution is rejected because the own device has a program for performing the processing whose execution is rejected. The control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program is called. In other words, the application instruction unit 236 causes the CPU 131 to execute the control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program whose execution has been rejected. As a result, the application unit 25 of the control device 2 executes processing instead of the multifunction machine 1 (S218).

  On the other hand, when the identification information of the MFP program transmitted together with the rejection notice is not shown in the table, the application instruction unit 236 performs processing for rejecting execution to the program conversion unit 239. The multi-function device program is instructed to be converted into a control device program executable by the CPU 131 of the own device.

  In response to this, the program conversion unit 239 reads from the transmission program storage unit 238 a program for the multi-function device for performing processing whose execution is rejected, and converts the read multi-function device program into a program for the control device ( S217). Note that the MFP program used for the conversion is not limited to that stored in the transmission program storage unit 238, and may be transmitted from the MFP 1 as necessary.

  For example, when the program for the multi-function device is coded by JAVA (registered trademark) and the program for the control device is the native code (machine language) of the CPU 131, the conversion of the program is performed by using the composite code coded by JAVA (registered trademark). This can be done by once converting the machine program into source code such as C ++, and compiling it to generate native code.

  Then, the program conversion unit 239 stores the control device program obtained by the conversion in the storage unit 135 and adds information about the stored control device program to the control device program management table. Subsequently, the program conversion unit 239 instructs the application instruction unit 236 to cause the CPU 131 to execute the stored control device program (that is, to call the control device program).

  As a result, the application unit 25 of the control device 2 executes processing instead of the multifunction machine 1 (S218).

  Finally, each block of the multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 can be configured by hardware logic, but in this embodiment, by using the CPUs 101 and 131 by software as follows. Realized.

  That is, the multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 include a CPU (central processing unit) 101/131 that executes a program for realizing the function of each block, a ROM (read only memory) 108/137 that stores the program, or a HDD (hard disk drive) 108 and 138, RAM (random access memory) 107 and 136 for expanding the program, and storage devices (recording media) 105, 135, and 140 for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording in which program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of programs of the multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 which are software for realizing the functions described above are recorded so as to be readable by a computer This can also be achieved by supplying the medium to the multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The multifunction device 1 and the control device 2 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  As described above, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment includes the CPU 101, is connected to the control device 2 so as to be communicable, and is controlled by the control device 2. Then, the multifunction device 1 stores a multifunction device program that is a program to be executed by the CPU 101, and a program registration that receives the multifunction device program from the control device 2 and stores it in the storage device 105. The configuration includes a management application 18 h and a job manager 17 b that causes the CPU 101 to execute the MFP program stored in the storage unit 105 in response to an execution instruction transmitted from the control device 2.

  According to the above configuration, the program that the multifunction device 1 does not have is acquired from the control device 2 and stored in the storage unit 105 by the program registration management application 18h. As a result, the MFP 1 can acquire a program that the MFP 1 does not have from the control device, and can execute a new process that cannot be performed at the time of factory shipment based on the acquired program. Further, the job manager 17 b causes the CPU 101 to execute the MFP program stored in the storage unit 105 in response to the execution instruction transmitted from the control device 2. As a result, execution of processing based on the program acquired by the multifunction device 1 can be instructed from the control device 2. Therefore, it is possible to realize a system that can control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral.

  The control device 2 according to the present embodiment is connected to the multifunction device 1 so as to be communicable. The transmission program storage unit 238 stores the multifunction device program, and the multifunction device program is transmitted from the transmission program storage unit 238. A multi-function device program transmission unit 237 that transmits the multi-function program to the multi-function device 1, and a multi-function device function control unit 235 that transmits to the multi-function device 1 an instruction to execute the multi-function device program transmitted by the multi-function device program transmission unit 237 It is the composition provided with.

  According to the above configuration, the MFP program transmission unit 237 reads the MFP program from the transmission program storage unit 238 and transmits it to the MFP 1. As a result, the MFP 1 can acquire a program that the MFP 1 does not have from the control device, and can execute a new process that cannot be performed at the time of factory shipment based on the acquired program. Further, the MFP function control unit 235 transmits an instruction to execute the MFP program transmitted by the MFP program transmission unit 237 to the MFP 1. Thereby, execution of the program transmitted from the control device 2 can be instructed from the control device 2. Therefore, it is possible to realize a system that can control the functions of the multifunction peripheral in an integrated manner and can flexibly change the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral.

  Note that there may be a plurality of control devices 2 connected to the multifunction device 1, and further, a control device that transmits the multifunction device program to the multifunction device 1, and an instruction to execute the multifunction program. The control device to perform may be another device.

  In addition, the multifunction device function control unit 235 of the control device 2 includes not only the multifunction device program transmitted by the multifunction device program transmission unit 237 but also the original multifunction device 1 not transmitted by the multifunction device program transmission unit 237. The program execution instruction is also transmitted.

  According to the above configuration, the control device 2 does not have the multifunction device 1 at the time of factory shipment, and both the program provided by the own device and the program originally possessed by the multifunction device 1. Since the execution instruction can be transmitted, it is possible to perform a cooperative process that combines a process based on the program originally possessed by the multifunction device 1 and a process based on the program provided by the control device 2. . Therefore, the multifunction device 1 can execute various cooperation processes according to the combination.

  The storage unit 105 of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment stores control device restriction information indicating identification information of a control device that is permitted to accept an execution instruction, and the job manager 17b transmits the execution instruction. The control device identification information is also received. Then, the job manager 17b determines whether or not the control device 2 indicated by the received identification information is included in the control device whose identification information is indicated in the control device restriction information. In the case of “No”, the CPU 101 is configured not to execute the MFP program.

  According to the above configuration, since the job manager does not permit the execution instruction from the control device whose identification information is not indicated in the control device restriction information, the MFP 1 receives the execution instruction from the unauthorized control device 2. Can be prevented.

  Similarly, in the multifunction device program management table stored in the storage unit 105 of the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a user ID that permits acceptance of an execution instruction is set for each multifunction device program. In this configuration, the job manager 17b also receives a user ID that instructs execution of the MFP program by input to the operation panel 6. Then, the job manager 17b determines whether or not the user ID received together with the instruction to execute the multifunction device program is included in the user ID that permits acceptance of the instruction to execute the multifunction device program that has received the execution instruction. If the determination result is “No”, the CPU 101 is configured not to execute the MFP program.

  According to the above configuration, since the job manager 17b does not permit an execution instruction from a user whose identification information is not indicated in the user restriction information, an unauthorized user instructs the MFP 1 to execute the MFP program. Can be prevented. In addition, since the MFP management table shows a user ID that permits the reception of execution instructions for each MFP program, the authority for executing the MFP program can be switched according to the user. .

  Further, in the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the job manager 17b counts the number of times the multifunction device program is executed by the CPU 101 for each program and for each user, and the counted number of executions for each program and for each user. Each MFP program is stored in the MFP program management table.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to know how many times each multifunction device program has been executed in the multifunction device 1, so that it can be applied to construction of a billing system and acquisition of usage statistics of the multifunction device program. .

  As a specific example of the billing system, a billing information processing unit (billing information processing means) that calculates billing information for the use of a program for the multifunction device based on the number of executions counted by the job manager 17b. ). In this case, the billing information processing unit has unit price information for each MFP program when the MFP program is used once, and bills the user by multiplying the counted number of executions by the unit price. Billing information can be obtained. Then, the job manager 17b may count the number of executions in a period between the settlement and the next settlement by resetting the counted number of executions for each settlement of the user.

  Another specific example of the billing system is that a price is received from a user in advance using a prepaid card or the like, and an upper limit of the number of executions corresponding to the received price is set. In this case, the job manager 17b may be configured not to cause the computer to execute the MFP program when the number of executions counted by the execution number counting means reaches the upper limit. Then, the job manager 17b may count the number of executions in a period between the settlement and the next settlement by resetting the counted number of executions for each settlement of the user.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, version information is also stored in the storage unit 105 of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment together with the MFP program, and the program registration management application 18 h stores the version information in the control device 2. The version information of the MFP program stored in the unit 105 is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission program storage unit 238 of the control apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment stores version information along with the program for the multifunction device. The multifunction device program transmission unit 237 includes the presence of the multifunction device 1. The version information of the multifunction device program being received is received from the multifunction device 1, and the received version information is compared with the version information of the multifunction device program stored in the transmission program storage unit 238. When the version indicated by the version information stored in the transmission program storage unit 238 is newer than the version indicated by the received version information, the MFP program stored in the transmission program storage unit 238 is replaced with the MFP 1. It has the composition which has the mode which transmits to.

  According to the above-described configuration, among the programs for the multifunction machine stored in the transmission program storage unit 238 of the control device 2, those having an older version than the program that the multifunction machine 1 has, 237 does not transmit to the multifunction device 1. Therefore, all the programs for the multifunction machine that the control device 2 has are not transmitted, and the program can be updated efficiently.

  The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment includes an execution time estimation application 18i that estimates the time required to execute the multifunction device program, and the job manager 17b uses the time estimated by the execution time estimation application 18i as a threshold value. In comparison, when the estimated time is larger than the threshold value, the CPU 101 does not execute the MFP program.

  According to the above configuration, even if there is a program execution instruction from the control device 2, if the execution time estimated by the execution time estimation application 18i is larger than the threshold, the CPU 101 does not execute the program. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the multifunction device 1 from being occupied for a long time by processing instructed via the network.

  Further, when the execution time estimated by the execution time estimation application 18i is larger than the threshold, the job manager 17b of the multifunction device 1 rejects the control device 2 that the execution of the multifunction device program has been rejected. Send a notification.

  When the control device 2 receives the rejection notice transmitted from the multi-function device 1, the control device 2 has the same function as the multi-function device program whose execution is rejected, and for the control device that can be executed by the CPU 131 of its own device. The application instruction unit 236 for causing the CPU 131 to execute the program is provided.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 28, the storage unit 135 of the control device 2 has a control device program in which the correspondence information between the identification information of the control device program and the identification information of the multifunction device program is shown. The management table is stored, and the application instruction unit 236 selects a control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program whose execution is rejected in the multifunction device 1 from among the control device programs stored in the storage unit 135. The control device program management table is specified, and the specified control device program is executed by the CPU 131 of the own device.

  According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of sets of the MFP program and the corresponding control device program, the control device program corresponding to the MFP program is identified by the control device program management table. It is possible to cause the control device 2 to alternatively execute a process whose execution is rejected in the multifunction device 1.

  The control device 2 further includes a program conversion unit 239 that converts the multifunction device program into a control device program and stores the program in the storage unit 135.

  According to the above configuration, even if the control device 2 does not have a control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program, the program conversion unit 239 converts the multifunction device program into the control device program. Therefore, the control device 2 can alternatively execute the processing whose execution is rejected in the multifunction device 1.

  In addition, the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment is a combination of a service layer 13 that executes processing including image reading processing, image formation processing, and communication processing, and processing executed by the service layer 13 from the control device 2. Web service layer 17 that receives the execution instruction of the cooperation process, OSA application layer 18 that outputs the first control command corresponding to the execution instruction received by the Web service layer, and the first control command that the OSA application layer 18 outputs And the second control command corresponding to the first control command output from the OSA application layer 18, and a storage unit 105 that stores a command conversion table showing a correspondence relationship between the service layer 13 and the second control command that can be received by the service layer 13. The control command is specified based on the command conversion table, and the specified second control command is sent to the service layer 13. It has a configuration that includes a Open I / F layer 19 outputs Te.

  Usually, the detailed configuration of the service layer 13 depends on the hardware of the multifunction device 1 and is therefore a configuration unique to the multifunction device 1. Therefore, the second control command that can be accepted by the service layer 13 also differs depending on the model of the multifunction device 1.

  However, according to the above configuration, the Open I / F layer 19 receives the first control command, specifies the second control command corresponding to the first control command from the command conversion table, and specifies the specified second control command. Output to the service layer 13. Thus, even if the second control command depends on the model of the multifunction device 1 as described above, the first control command that can be accepted by the Open I / F layer 19 does not depend on the model of the multifunction device 1. Can be.

  Thereby, when the external control device 2 controls the multifunction device 1, the control device 2 may output an execution instruction that is a basis of the first control command independent of the model of the multifunction device 1 to the multifunction device 1. As a result, even when a new process execution instruction is issued from the control device 2 to the multifunction device 1, an execution instruction that is the basis of the common first control command is generated regardless of the multifunction device 1. The control device 2 may be developed, and the development efficiency is improved.

  In the command conversion table, the first control command may be associated with a plurality of second control commands.

  According to the above configuration, based on the single first control command instructing execution of the cooperation process, a plurality of element processes constituting the cooperation process are executed based on the second control command.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a multifunction device control system that controls a multifunction device by connecting a control device to the multifunction device via a communication network.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of an operation unit provided in a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-function program management table stored in a storage unit of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control instruction table stored in a control instruction table storage unit of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention and illustrating functions of an Open I / F layer. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a multifunction machine control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing diagram which shows the prior art and shows the flow of the authentication process at the time of communicating only by HTTP. FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a flow of login processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a server selection screen. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a login screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of the present invention when an administrator inputs login information on a login screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a general user inputs login information on a login screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a maintenance process of a program for a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management menu screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multifunction peripheral program management table stored in a storage unit of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an OSA server layer after registering a program for a multifunction machine received from a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, and is an example of a completion notification screen displayed when the maintenance process of the MFP program is completed. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention and illustrating the first half of cooperation processing by a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the second half of the cooperation processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of an execution process menu screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a part of an event table stored in a storage unit of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a flow of data between blocks when an execution instruction is transmitted from a control device to a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a completion notification screen that is displayed when a cooperation process by a multifunction peripheral is completed according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control device program management table stored in a storage unit of the control device according to the embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 101 CPU (computer)
105 Storage Unit (Receiving Program Storage Unit / Control Device Restriction Information Storage Unit / User Restriction Information Storage Unit)
106 RAM (computer)
13 Service layer (element processing execution means)
17b Job manager (program calling means / determination means / execution count counting means / execution instruction receiving means)
18 OSA application layer (first control command output means)
18h Program registration management application (program receiving means)
18i execution time estimation application (execution time estimation means)
19 Open I / F layer (control command conversion means)
2 Control device 131 CPU (computer)
135 Storage Unit (Execution Program Storage Unit / Program Corresponding Information Storage Unit)
136 RAM (computer)
235 MFP function controller 235 (MFP control means)
236 Application instruction section (program call means)
237 MFP program transmission unit (program transmission means)
238 Transmission program storage unit (transmission program storage means)
239 Program conversion unit (program conversion means)

Claims (24)

A multi-function machine that has a computer and is communicably connected to one or more control devices and controlled by the control device,
A received program storage unit for storing a program for a multifunction machine that is a program to be executed by the computer;
Program receiving means for receiving the multi-function peripheral program from the control device and storing it in the received program storage unit;
Execution time estimation means for estimating the execution time of the multifunction device program;
A multifunction device program calling means for causing the computer to execute the multifunction device program stored in the received program storage unit when an instruction to execute the multifunction device program is received from the control device ;
A first determination unit that compares the execution time estimated by the execution time estimation unit with a threshold and determines whether or not the computer program should be executed by the computer;
The multifunction device program calling unit executes the multifunction device program to the computer even when the execution result is received from the control device when the determination result by the first determination unit is “No”. A multi-function machine characterized by not allowing   The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the control device that transmits the program for the multifunction device and the control device that transmits the execution instruction are different control devices. The reception program storage unit also stores version information of the MFP program in association with the MFP program stored by itself.
The program receiving means transmits the version information of the MFP program stored in the received program storage unit to the control device before receiving the MFP program from the control device. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction device is a multi-function device. When the determination result by the first determination unit is “No”, the multifunction device program calling unit transmits a rejection notification indicating that the execution of the multifunction device program has been rejected to the control device. The multifunction device according to claim 1 , wherein: The MFP program calling means also receives the identification information of the control device that transmits the execution instruction,
A control device restriction information storage unit that stores control device restriction information indicating identification information of a control device that is permitted to accept the execution instruction;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the control device indicated by the identification information received by the multifunction machine program calling means is included in the control device whose identification information is indicated in the control device restriction information. And further comprising
2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction device program calling unit does not cause the computer to execute the multifunction device program when the determination result by the second determination unit is “No”. 3. .   2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising an execution frequency counting unit that counts the number of times that the program for the multifunction device is executed by the computer. 7. The information processing unit according to claim 6 , further comprising billing information processing means for calculating billing information as a price for using the multi-function peripheral program based on the number of executions counted by the execution number counting means. Multifunction machine. The program calling means for MFP, when the counted number of executions by the execution count counting means has reached the threshold value, wherein the program the MFP to claim 6, characterized in that not execute the computer Multifunction machine. The multifunction device program calling means also receives the identification information of the user who instructed the control device to transmit the execution instruction,
A user restriction information storage unit that stores user restriction information indicating identification information of a user who is permitted to accept the execution instruction;
A third determination means for determining whether or not the user indicated by the identification information received by the multifunction machine program calling means is included in the user whose identification information is indicated in the user restriction information;
2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction device program calling unit does not cause the computer to execute the multifunction device program when the determination result by the third determination unit is “No”. . The system further comprises an execution frequency counting means for counting, for each user, the number of times the MFP program is executed by the computer based on the user identification information received by the MFP program calling means. The multifunction device according to claim 9 . Element processing execution means for executing processing including at least one of image reading processing, image forming processing, and communication processing;
Execution instruction receiving means for receiving from the control device an instruction to execute cooperative processing that is a combination of the processes executed by the element processing execution means;
First control command output means for outputting a first control command corresponding to the execution instruction received by the execution instruction receiving means;
A command correspondence information storage unit for storing command correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the first control command output by the first control command output unit and the second control command acceptable by the element processing execution unit;
The second control command corresponding to the first control command output from the first control command output means is specified based on the command correspondence information, and the specified second control command is sent to the element processing execution means. 2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising control command conversion means for outputting. The first control command is common between multifunction devices,
12. The multifunction device according to claim 11 , wherein the second control command is different among multifunction devices. 12. The multifunction device according to claim 11 , wherein in the command correspondence information, the first control command is associated with a plurality of the second control commands. A control device that is communicably connected to the multifunction device according to claim 4 and has a computer ,
A transmission program storage unit for storing the program for the multifunction machine ;
Program transmission means for reading the program for the multifunction machine from the transmission program storage unit and transmitting it to the multifunction machine;
MFP control means for transmitting an instruction to execute the MFP program to the MFP;
An execution program storage unit for storing a control device program that is a program to be executed by the computer of the own machine;
A control device comprising: a control device program calling means for causing the computer of the own device to execute the control device program stored in the execution program storage section when receiving the rejection notice . In addition to the instruction for executing the MFP program transmitted by the program transmitting means, the MFP control means includes an instruction for executing the MFP program provided in the MFP and not transmitted by the program transmitting means. 15. The control device according to claim 14 , wherein the control device is also transmitted. A program correspondence information storage unit in which identification information of the control device program and identification information of the multifunction device program are stored in association with each other;
The control device program calling means specifies, based on the program correspondence information storage portion, a control device program corresponding to the multifunction device program whose execution is rejected in the multifunction device from the execution program storage portion. The control apparatus according to claim 14 , further comprising: causing the computer of the own apparatus to execute the specified program for the control apparatus. 15. The control device according to claim 14 , further comprising program conversion means for converting the multi-function device program into the control device program and storing the program in the execution program storage unit. A multi-function peripheral control system including a multi-function peripheral having a multi-function peripheral computer and one or a plurality of control devices communicably connected to the multi-function peripheral,
The control device
A control computer;
A transmission program storage unit that stores a program for a multifunction machine that is a program to be executed by the computer for the multifunction machine ;
Program transmission means for reading the program for the multifunction machine from the transmission program storage unit and transmitting it to the multifunction machine;
MFP control means for transmitting an instruction to execute the MFP program transmitted by the program transmission means to the MFP ;
An execution program storage unit for storing a control device program which is a program to be executed by the control device computer;
When receiving a rejection notice indicating that the execution of the program for the multifunction device according to the execution instruction transmitted by the multifunction device control means is rejected in the multifunction device, the control device stored in the execution program storage unit Control device program calling means for causing the control device computer to execute the program ,
The above multifunction machine
A reception program storage unit for storing the program for the multifunction machine;
Program receiving means for receiving the multi-function peripheral program from the control device and storing it in the received program storage unit;
Execution time estimation means for estimating the execution time of the multifunction device program;
A multifunction machine program calling means for causing the multifunction machine computer to execute the multifunction machine program stored in the received program storage unit when an instruction to execute the multifunction machine program is received from the control device ;
A determination unit that compares the execution time estimated by the execution time estimation unit with a threshold value and determines whether or not to cause the multi-function peripheral computer to execute the multi-function peripheral computer;
When the determination result by the determination unit is “No”, the multifunction device program calling unit sends the multifunction device program to the multifunction device computer even when the execution instruction is received from the control device. A multifunction device control system, wherein the rejection notification is transmitted to the control device without being executed . The control device
The transmission program storage unit stores the version information of the MFP program in association with the MFP program stored by itself,
The program transmission means receives the version information of the multifunction device program held by the multifunction device from the multifunction device, and receives the received version information and the multifunction device program stored in the transmission program storage unit. Compare the version information, and according to the comparison result, send the MFP program stored in the transmission program storage unit to the MFP,
The above multifunction machine
The reception program storage unit stores the version information of the MFP program in association with the MFP program stored by itself,
The program receiving means transmits the version information of the MFP program stored in the received program storage unit to the control device before receiving the MFP program from the control device. The multi-function peripheral control system according to claim 18, A control program for operating the MFP according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a control program for causing a computer to function as each means of the MFP. A control program for operating the control device according to any one of claims 14 to 17 , wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each unit of the control device. A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 20 or 21 is recorded. A control method of a multifunction peripheral having a computer and connected to one or a plurality of control devices so as to be communicable and controlled by the control device,
Program receiving means receives a program for a multifunction machine that is a program to be executed by the computer from the control device , and stores the program for the multifunction machine in a reception program storage unit for storing the program for the multifunction machine And steps to
An execution time estimating means for estimating an execution time of the multifunction device program;
A step program calling means for MFP, to execute if an execution instruction of a program for the MFP is received from the control unit, the MFP program stored in the received program storage unit to the computer,
Determining means comparing the execution time estimated by the execution time estimating means with a threshold value to determine whether or not to cause the computer to execute the multi-function peripheral program;
When the determination result by the determination means is “No”, the multifunction device program calling unit does not cause the computer to execute the multifunction device program even when the execution instruction is received from the control device. A control method for a multifunction machine. A control method for a control device that is communicably connected to the multifunction device according to claim 4 and has a computer ,
A program transmitting means for reading the multi-function peripheral program from a transmission program storage unit storing the multi-function peripheral program and transmitting the multi-function peripheral program to the multi-function peripheral;
A step in which a multifunction device control means transmits an instruction to execute the multifunction device program to the multifunction device ;
When the control device program calling means receives the rejection notice, the control device program stored in the execution program storage unit for storing the control device program, which is a program to be executed by the computer of the own device, is stored. A control method for the control device, comprising: causing the computer of the device to execute the method.

Images